Women Senior Team: Our Womens Social Soccer group returned this evening after the Christmas break. We train 8 to 9 in Ardfert Astro and new players always welcome. Great way to keep fit and have fun!
Men Senior Team: Samphires A 0 v 1 Iveragh
Our senior A team were very unlucky to come out on the losing side after an entertaining game against Iveragh this afternoon. We had a lot of the possession throughout the game and looked threatening in the first half as our front three and wingers created a number of chances but we couldn’t convert. Our best chance came from the penalty spot but the visitor’s keeper made an excellent save. Their keeper was on hand again a few minutes later when he turned a long range volley away for a corner. 0-0 at the break. The second half went much the same as the first as we enjoyed lots of possession, creating a number of chances which we couldn’t convert. To their credit, Iveragh started causing us some problems as the half wore on and the game started to become a bit stretched and disjointed at times. We continued to play on the front foot as we pushed for a winner but our opponents caught us on the break and scored the only goal of the game. A disappointing result but plenty of positives to bring forward for the rest of the season.
Men Senior Team: Samphires B 1 v 2 Ardfert (Scorer: Joe Carmody)
A spirited performance from Samphires Senior ‘B’ team came up just short against undefeated table toppers Ardfert at Samphire Park on Sunday last. This local derby was a hotly contested affair with plenty of incident and full commitment from both sides. Ardfert settled better in the opening exchanges using route one football to unsettle our defence. David Chute made a point blank save following a low Ardfert cross to keep it scoreless after 15 minutes, whilst Brian O’Connor then cleared off the line 10 minutes later to keep it scoreless. Ardfert however made it 1-0 following a defensive mix up in the our box after half an hour. We continued to play very controlled football throughout where Sean Dowling, Claudio Dema were dictating play but the home side attacks met an extremely mean Ardfert defence. Eddie Mc Carthy then had a legitimate penalty appeal turned down minutes before halftime. The 2nd half continued like the first with Ardfert’s direct style of play pinning us into our half on many occasions . We however continued to counterattack with excellent passing and support play but could not trouble the Ardfert rearguard. Both the crossbar and further David Chute save in a crowded Fenit penalty area kept the score 1-0 entering the last 10 minutes. At the other end a Ryan Dolan pile driver was well saved before Ardfert made it 2-0 after 82 minutes, their striker slotting home from close range on the rebound. Substitute Joe Carmody tucked the ball in the left corner from 15 yards after 89 minutes after Fenit had laid siege in Ardfert penalty area. With over five minutes added for stoppages we tried to find an equaliser, but to no avail.
Men Senior Team: Samphires A 8 v 0 Killarney Athletic B (Scorers: Billy Walsh(3), JJ Prior, Keevan McElligott, Jesse Stafford Lacey, Cian McKenna, Sean Dowling)
Great start to the new year as we gave one of our most complete performances so far. Despite dominating possession we didn’t create a whole lot until Cian Mckenna delivered a pin point cross which was nicely finished by Billy Walsh at the back post. Billy then curled in to top corner after Declan Doody’s ball was cleverly stepped over by Cian. We continued to put Athletic on the back foot and went into half time 3 – 0 up when JJ Prior leapt like a salmon to head in Cian’s corner. We picked up where we left off second half as Declan flicked on Cian’s corner for Keevan Mcelligot to nod in for 4 0. Declan got his hat trick of assists when he found Jesse free in the box to glance home to make it 5. Cian finally got his goal finding the corner just inside the box for 6. Billy completed his hat trick when he again arrived at the back post to finish from Eddie McCarthy;s cross. Sean Dowling then smashed in from the edge of the box into the far corner to complete a very successful day at the office.
U15s Girls: Samphires 0 v 6 Park
Hard luck to our 15s last weekend. We had a tough time but the girls kept at it to the end. Better times ahead.
U14s Boys: Castleisland B 2 v 5 Fenit B (Scorers: Adam Fitzgerald 2, Daniel Lawlor 2, Noah Slattery)
A game played in tough conditions just before the snow a couple of weeks ago! Well done to Ben Stack playing up from u13s who put in a player of the week performance with his non stop running and lots of good skill. A good victory for the 14s away in Castleisland. The score flattered us a bit but the lads did very well throughout and deserved the win.
U14s Boys: Dingle Bay Rovers A 4 v 1 Fenit B (Scorer: Adam Fitzgerald)
Our 14Bs had a tough time vs a Dingle A team in Division 2 out in Dingle last weekend. They were a much bigger team and they used it to their advantage. We struggled throughout in difficult conditions and we didn’t deserve anything out of the match.
U12s Boys: Samphires 3 v 1 Camp (Scorers: Fionn McCarthy(2), Áron Keating)
Our Premier team had a good victory last Saturday vs Camp. We were on top for much of the game but at times were wasteful in the final third. We played quite well in general, with some incisive passing leading to a lot of good situations in and around the Camp box but our decision making needs some work. Nevertheless, the team is playing very well and a win is a great result so keep up the good work lads.
U12s Boys: Dingle Bay Rovers 3 v 3 Samphires A (Scorers: Fionn McCarthy, Aron Keating, )
Our 12s lost out on 2 valuble points in this draw against a determined Dingle team. On a tight pitch we had more of the play throughout but in the business areas of the pitch, Dingle were more efficient than us, scoring most of their chances where we missed quite a number of scorable chances. Still, our boys keep performing at a good level, moving the ball quickly, so we can’t be too disappointed.
U12s Boys: MEK A 1 v 5 Samphires B (Scorers: Padraig Whelan(2), Tomas Bunyan, Eoghan Gilligan, OG).
Our Division 1 team got off to a great start in 2025 with a convincing win away to MEK. The match was played at the Fossa National School astro pitch. The opening few minutes were end-to-end with Padraig Whelan opening the scoring to put us 1-0 up after 3 minutes. MEK got an equaliser after 10 minutes to make it 1-1. From the re-start we took control of the game with some great passing, movement and defensive play. Our effort was rewarded after 13 minutes when Padraig Whelan scored his second of the game to make it 2-1 to us. Tomas Bunyan got the third on 18 minutes with a header from close range to make it 3-1 at half time. In the second half, we created plenty of attacking play and got our fourth goal on 43 minutes when a cross from Eoghan Gilligan was deflected by an MEK defender into their own net. Eoghan got on the score sheet on 55 mins with a great finish to make the final score MEK A 1 Samphires B 5. Thats 6 wins from 7. Well done boys!!
U12s Boys: Inter Kenmare B 0 v 6 Samphires B (Scorers: Josh Duffy, Jack Buckley, Eoghan Gilligan, Luke McCann, Garrett Lovett)
Our Division 1 team continued their fine run of form with a comprehensive victory away to Inter Kenmare.The fixture was played on IK’s astro pitch, and the surface and weather conditions were perfect for an open game of football.Fenit were well warmed up before kick off and hit the ground running with Josh Duffy finishing a well-worked move to open the scoring from close range after 5 mins. Jack Buckley was back in action for his first game of 2025 and opened his account on 11 mins with a great finish. Eoghan Gilligan, who started the game on the bench, was introduced on 20 minutes and he scored straight away. The second half continued in a similar fashion with Luke McCann who, after switching from left wing to striker, almost immediately hit the Kenmare net. Jack Buckley and Eoghan Gilligan both added to their tallys with goals on 42 and 43 minutes repectively. The last score came on 55 minutes when team captain Garrett Lovett pounced for his first goal of the season!!This was our most complete team performance of the season by far, with every single player working for the team and looking to pass and help their team-mates throughout. Inter Kenmare just could not cope with the team’s teamwork. A special mention to Cian O’Sullivan, who played his game of the season so far with a man-of-the-match performance in midfield.
Boys U12s: Samphires C 5 v 0 Ballyhar (Scorers: Matthew Rael(3), Conor O’Reilly, Joe Dennehy)
3 out of 3 for our U12s boys last weekend as the C team had an emphatic win vs Ballyhar in Division 2. We have a number of 11s playing up to help field a team but it seems a good mix. This was the first of our 3 Boys U12s matches and the boys set the tone for the day with a great performance. Well done to them and their managers. Thanks too to all the parents who came to support.
U12s Boys: Listowel Celtic C 6 v 0 Samphires C
The C team were out in Listowel in their 2nd outing since Christmas. We had a few changes to the team since the last match and we didn’t gel as before. Subsequently a stronger Listowel team beat us well and deserved their win. Again well done to our players who kept trying and to their coaches too for keeping them going.
Boys U11s: Our u11 boys enjoyed some highly competitive and entertaining games today against Ballyhar Dynamos. Thanks to Ballyhar for hosting.
U10 Girls: Last Sunday our U10 Girls teams travelled to Camp Junior FC. A fantastic morning of action. Well done to all the girls, the progress has been amazing. Thank you Camp Juniors FC for hosting a great day with super tips for the girls.
Boys U10s: Our U10 boys kicked off 2025 Vs Killorglin this afternoon in Ardfert. A frozen Killorglin pitch meant that the fixture had to be changed to ARC last minute but that didn’t take from the quality of competition between these squads. Two highly competitive games between well matched teams. Thanks to Killorglin for making the journey and providing a great contest and to Ardfert Community Centre for accommodating the fixture at short notice. As always great support from parents in the sidelines and trojan work from the U10s coaches who’s hard work with the boys continues to show great development.